NFL Playoffs: 5 Most important rookies in the postseason

Nick Bosa – San Francisco 49ers

The offense was the unit that had to step up more often for the 49ers down the stretch as the defense slowed following a remarkable first half of the season.

However, as San Francisco’s defense benefits from the bye week by getting back some of its injured players, it is the Niners’ pass rush that could prove the X-factor in the NFC playoffs.

Bosa appears certain to win Defense Rookie of the Year and was still able to pressure quarterbacks and impact the game in the final weeks of the regular season even as offensive lines focused their energies on shutting him down in the absence of fellow edge rusher Dee Ford.

Still, the second overall pick had only one sack in the final five games of the campaign, finishing with nine for the year. With Ford set to return, however, offenses won’t be able to pay the same level of attention to Bosa, freeing him up to potentially wreak havoc in opposing backfields when it matters most.

San Francisco’s offense has answered the bell consistently in recent weeks. If Bosa and the pass rush can help the defense match their efforts, the Niners may well prove unstoppable.